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I always believed in adopting a friendly approach': S'pore police coast guard officer on viral banter with M'sian anglers
He was also swiftly given the affectionate term "Abang police".
What was a routine patrol for Singapore Police Coast Guard officer Ramdzan unexpectedly became a viral moment praised by many online.
His warm disposition and friendly interaction with two Malaysian fishers whose fishing boat drifted into Singapore waters was shared on TikTok on Nov. 17, and later became a hit with adoring netizens.
In a Facebook post on Nov. 21, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) shared Ramdzan's encounter, and his perspective on engaging the public.
Always "believed" in "friendly approach"
On the day of the incident, Ramdzan was out on patrol with his teammates, Yi Xiang and Sherwin, when he spotted a small fishing boat that appeared to have drifted into Singapore's territory.
He said that he "could see" two people fishing, and that he felt that they were "just recreational fishermen" who had drifted into Singapore waters without realising.
Ramdzan's patrol boat then pulled alongside the vessel, and he noticed that the fishermen looked "nervous" but remained cooperative.
He explained the situation to them: they had likely entered Singapore waters unintentionally and needed to return to Malaysian waters, which both fishermen complied with.
In the video, Ramdzan was also seen chatting with them, giving them fishing tips and asking if they were married.
Didn't know interaction was filmed, earned affectionate "Abang polis" title
But what surprised Ramdzan was that he did not realise that their interaction had been recorded.
The clip quickly went viral after being shared online, drawing praise from netizens for the officer's warm but firm handling of the situation.
He was swiftly given the affectionate term "Abang police" or "Brother policeman" in Malay.
Among all the reactions, his wife's meant the most.
Ramdzan said that she "actually laughed" and said she "was proud of him".
"She could see that I tried to put those fishermen at ease while still making my point clear," he added.
On his freshly granted "Abang police" title, Ramdzan said: "When people use that term, there's something much more meaningful behind it. 'Abang' is like calling someone a protective older brother, someone you can trust, someone who looks out for you."
He noted that being "professional and firm" does not mean that one has to be "cold or aggressive", adding that the officers are "dealing with people who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect".
